Well, country music superstar Brad Paisley is challenging that way of thinking with his latest single, which hit country radio stations just days ago.
This new song, which Paisley and his band recorded in an old barn on his property which he converted into a studio, is entitled "Southern Comfort Zone" and, no, it's not about the liquor. The track is all about how all of the things about the south are great, but there is a much bigger world outside of the "land of cotton." All you need to do to see it is step outside your "southern comfort zone."
While they are great things, not everybody in the world drinks sweet tea, goes to church or watches Nascar. But that's ok. Because everywhere has their own culture and their own way of doing things. And all of those things that they do are ok too.
As far as the song's sound, it is different from anything longtime fans of BP have ever heard before. It has been described it as sounding like Coldplay put out a country song. The song also includes guest appearances by many famous southerners, including Jeff Foxworthy, Darrell Waltrip, Eddie Stubbs and the late Andy Griffith. It also features background vocals by the Brentwood Baptist Church Choir.
Paisley has said on his website that "my rule for this record is to leave our comfort zone as musicians and songwriters and production-wise, themes and everything, and think outside the box. And every song should, at some moment, do to you what my dog does when I say a command he doesn’t understand: His head goes sideways. And every song should have that moment in a good way.”
Every song on this as-yet-untitled album was recorded with only Paisley and his band in that farmhouse-turned-recording studio in his backyard, without the help of Autotune or any other editing tool. All fans will hear is raw skill and musical ability. This album will simply be about the music.
You can listen and judge for yourself whether or not you like Paisley's new sound. "Southern Comfort Zone" will be available for download on October 2 and Paisley's new album is slated to drop this coming April.
And here's a look at what went into recording this new track:
Update: You can take a look at the song's official music video below. The shoot took Paisley to eight countries in as many days, a journey that totaled around 10,000 miles. It is something to see.
